RACA 47

Such a sensitive reaction was definitely not normal. Since Bulgom was out today on business, the cat had no one to encounter, making it even harder to figure out what was going on.

“Jongjong!”

Following the sound, he arrived at the guest room. Hearing Eunsol’s voice, the sound of a cat’s paws came from inside, followed by the scratching of claws against the door.

Meow. Meowwww.

The cry, unlike any he’d ever heard before, carried an inexplicable sense of urgency, prompting Eunsol to quickly grab the doorknob.

“Jongjong, step back. I’m opening the door.”

He pushed the door open in his haste while speaking, but the cat, perhaps flustered, failed to obey the command as he usually would.

Eunsol struggled to open the door. Fortunately, the door cracked open slightly, creating a gap, and he managed to squeeze his body through.

Wheeeee. Wheeeee.

Meow. Meow .

What reached Eunsol’s ears was a chorus of machines and cat. He looked toward the source of the sound and his expression changed.

“What on earth is that…”

There are several reasons why the giant cat reacts so violently. Being trapped somewhere for a long time, facing an unfamiliar object for an extended period, or being exposed to an extremely tense state for a prolonged period.

So, the reason Jongjong was panicking and meowing for his owner was because of the robot vacuum cleaner moving around on its own.

“Why is that thing here…?”

“Didn’t you ask me to buy it?”

“Huh?”

When did I? Maybe his thoughts was written all over his face, Pyo Jaebeom answered.

“You said it before. You needed a cordless vacuum or a robot vacuum.”

“Ah…”

He should have said that. But Pyo Jaebeom had refused the request. Wasn’t it just a short while ago that he was grateful even for a cordless vacuum cleaner, let alone a broom?

What’s more, judging by its design, it was the latest model just released. Eunsol recognized it instantly because it had appeared as a product placement in the mukbang show he’d been watching earlier today.

“What’s the problem?”

That meant the machine hadn’t been in the house for very long. Which made it even harder to understand.

“No… I’m just curious.”

But why now? It’s not like it’s useful anymore?

‘No, that’s not it. Bulgom-nim’s workload will decrease, I suppose.’

Just as Bulgom wavered over how to address Eunsol, Eunsol likewise fluctuated in how he addressed him.

Sometimes it was “-ssi,” sometimes it was “-nim.” But neither of them really cared much about such things, so it didn’t matter.

“What?”

“No, it’s just… Ugh!”

Just as Eunsol was about to answer, he swallowed a groan from the shock of the cat slamming against his thigh. Apparently displeased that his owner, who had finally shown up, wasn’t paying him any attention and was making other noises instead, the cat protested with his entire body.

The problem was that the creature was strong and heavy. Eunsol was pushed back, colliding with the wall behind him. No, before the wall even touched him, a warm embrace wrapped around his shoulders and a soft, supportive touch cushioned his back simultaneously.

“I’m, I’m sorry…”

“Hey Beom Jongjong you better be careful. Lee Eunsol almost got hurt because of you. This kid doesn’t think about his own size, still hasn’t outgrown his childhood habits.”

Before Eunsol could apologize, Pyo Jaebeom was already scolding the cat.

Meow. Meowww. Meowww!

Jongjong protested without giving in. Judging by the low growl, it seemed pretty upset. Seeing his eyes narrowed to slits, Eunsol’s lips turned up in a smile.

How could anyone say anything more when he acted so adorably?

Wheee. Wheee.

Just as he bent down to pick up the cat, the robot vacuum changed direction. And it headed straight for the spot where the two people and the cat were gathered.

Meow!

Startled by the approaching unfamiliar object, the cat jumped up in fright without a thought for his own body.

Jongjong’s jumping power was so impressive he flew right onto Eunsol’s back, who had been crouching with his knees slightly bent.

“Ugh!”

Eunsol stifled a groan at the heavy pressure pressing down on his back. His posture, already unsteady, collapsed instantly.

It happened in the blink of an eye. Even as he toppled over, Eunsol instinctively wrapped his arms around his stomach. It was a reflexive act born from the need to protect his child. In doing so, he failed to react as his head fell forward, smashing his forehead against the floor.

“Ugh!”

Eunsol let out a groan as a throbbing pain reverberated through his head. The impact had also caused him to bite his tongue slightly, bringing tears to his eyes.

“Lee Eunsol!”

Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Pyo Jaebeom was slow to grasp the situation. He shoved the cat aside and swiftly scooped Eunsol into his arms.

As if timed perfectly, a tear rolled down the corner of his eye.

“Wait. I’ll take you to the hospital right away!”

If it had been any other time, he would have called a doctor to the house, but now he seemed too distraught to think straight. Holding Eunsol in his arms, he rushed out of the room.

The cat followed behind, wailing pitifully, but he didn’t look back. Right now, the omega in his arms was all that mattered to him.

No, the one who was there from the very beginning was…

The thought that had been rising in his mind vanished the moment the front door opened.

“Get the doctor ready immediately!”

After seating Eunsol in the passenger seat, fastening his belt, and straightening his own back, Jaebeom immediately made a call. He heard the other person respond, but without listening, he hung up. Fastening his own seatbelt, he glanced over at the passenger seat to see Eunsol with his eyes tightly shut.

“Lee Eunsol.”

He called his name without thinking, then clamped his mouth shut when he saw Eunsol’s eyelids flutter. Only then did it occur to him, what good would it do to wake someone in pain?

The car that had started off noisily sped straight out of the parking lot. Even as it headed toward the hospital, teetering dangerously close to the speed limit, the phone carelessly tossed onto the console kept vibrating.

Worried that it might be irritating Eunsol, Jaebeom snatched his phone as he waited at a red light, intending to silence it. In the process, his finger must have swiped the screen, because the phone connected.

-Hey, CEO Pyo. Aren’t you coming to work today? It’s been a while since I’ve been here but I haven’t seen you. Where are you?

After confirming President Kim’s name on the screen, Jaebeom almost hung up but replied briefly instead.

“What is it?”

-Do we need a special reason to meet? I just had some free time, so I came by. Let’s grab lunch.

“I have an external schedule today and don’t know when I’ll be back. Let’s meet another time.”

-What’s it, CEO Pyo? You left in the middle before too. Are you trying to make me feel hurt?

Unlike Jaebeom, who always addressed him formally, President Kim acted friendly while subtly lowering his tone. Normally, Jaebeom would have pretended to go along with it and said something, but right now, he had no time to spare for President Kim.

“Let’s set a date soon.”

Unlike Jaebeom, who seemed intent on wrapping things up around this point, Mr. Kim showed no sign of wanting to end the conversation.

-Hmm… CEO Pyo, you said you brought in an Omega, but surely you haven’t fallen for it hook, line, and sinker?

Moreover, as the topic shifted to seem like the real reason for the meeting was this, Jaebeom turned his gaze to the passenger seat. He could see Eunsol’s eyebrows were tightly furrowed. It seemed the spot where he’d hit his head earlier was hurting.

“I told you it wasn’t. I have something urgent to attend to and need to end this call. I’ll get back to you soon.”

-I’m really starting to feel disappointed. So next time, bring that omega with you, okay?

His gaze, which had been fixed on Eunsol, turned back to the front. His expression stiffened, and his eyes turned menacing.

“There’s no need for that, so please don’t concern yourself. I’m hanging up.”

Jaebeom ended the call, responding with just the right amount of nonchalance to avoid offending the other person. He wanted to ask why they were telling him to bring Eunsol or not to bring him.

But he held back, knowing exactly what kind of attitude Mr. Kim would adopt at his slightest word.

‘Who is it? Who leaked the story about Lee Eunsol?’

Only Jaebeom’s subordinates and Chairman Jang’s faction know that an Omega is at home. So unless someone let it slip, Mr. Kim couldn’t possibly know.

Moreover, the way he was blabbering like that made him worry he was trying to gauge Eunsol’s value to Jaebeom.

Frowning, Jaebeom glanced at Eunsol, who was still quietly keeping his eyes closed, then started the car.

He soon pulled into the hospital parking lot, parked the car hastily, and stormed out of the driver’s seat. Medical staff, already notified, were waiting in the parking lot.

“Sir, we…”

The attending doctor stepped forward, attempting to take Eunsol.

“Move aside.”

The low-voiced command was calm, but the pheromones that instantly radiated out made the nearby trait bearers linch. Though they couldn’t sense the pheromones, even the betas hunched their shoulders at Jaebeom’s piercing gaze.

He immediately reined in the pheromones and opened the passenger door. His expression remained col, but his fingertips trembled. As he carefully cradled Eunsol in his arms, his gaze locked firmly on him, appearing razor-sharp.

By then, Eunsol had regained some consciousness. Beyond his hazy awareness, he was puzzled by the thick pheromones he sensed and the surrounding murmurs.